By KUNA,
Paris : French President Nicolas Sarkozy could delay his planned visit to Israel June 22-24 because of the “complicated situation over there,” diplomatic sources confirmed here.
But it was stressed that no final decision had been taken on the postponement and France was waiting to hear from the Israeli side to see if the trip should go ahead.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is under severe political pressure because of corruption investigations and it is unclear if he will be charged and forced to resign.
This would provoke elections and yet another danger for the Middle East peace process in which Olmert was deeply involved alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
In addition, French rhetoric with regard to Israel’s ongoing illegal settlement expansion has negatively affected the closer ties between the two nations since Sarkozy came to power in May 2007.
France’s efforts to restore relations with Syria, including an invitation to President Bashar Al-Assad to come to Paris on July 13 for a Mediterranean Summit, have irritated Israel, as has the French leader’s trip to Lebanon last Saturday when he met with all the parties, including Israel’s arch-enemy, Hezbollah.